The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) saysindividuals from its staff were kidnapped and r*ped amid last Saturday's races. In an announcement on Friday, Festus Okoye, INEC magistrate for data and voter training, said while the decisions were commonly serene, there was "abnormal state of viciousness" in a couple of spots notwithstanding "the oppression of a portion of our constituent authorities to dangers, harassment, terrorizing, strike, kidnapping and even r*pe."

“The Commission condoles with the families of its ad-hoc staff who lost their lives while on this national assignment, as well as other Nigerians who died in the course of the elections,” he said.

“It also expresses its deep regrets and sympathy for all victims of this mindless violence. We stand with them in these difficult times.”

He also said the conduct of some security agencies in the elections is a matter of “serious concern”.

“While acknowledging their professionalism n the deployment of election personnel and materials in a safe and timely manner, the conduct of certain members of the security agencies in some states is a matter of serious concern to the Commission,” he said.

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This matter will be further discussed directly with the Inspector-General of Police within the ambit of the lnter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).”